For those of you who hopped over to this blog post from my email, you’re probably ready to get on the *INTERESTED LIST* right away. To make it easier for you and so you don’t have to wade through the entire post (which is a repeat of the email), I’m putting the sign-up box right here at the top for you. If you’re interested in Sewing PLR and PLR Sewing Patterns add your name and email address in the sign-up box right now so I know who is interested.
For everyone else who may have stopped by from a Twitter post or came from Google, below is the email I sent to my list that explains what I’m thinking about doing. I hope you can take the time to leave me a comment below and if you think the ability to purchase Sewing PLR and PLR Sewing Patterns would be fantastic, sign-up for my *INTERESTED LIST* and I’ll keep you up-to-date about how things are going.
Here’s a reprint of my email that explains what Sewing PLR and PLR Sewing Patterns is:
Hi!
I hope you’re doing well and sewing tons of cute stuff.
I have an idea I want to run by you.
I’ve been studying internet marketing for about 10 years now, I know a lot about it but have never tried to make a go of making money online. But I have this idea for a business and I thought I’d run it by you to see if you think it has any merit. I love sewing so whatever it is that I do as a business must have something to do with sewing. And that’s where you come in, I know you love sewing too, so I thought asking you for feedback would be the best way to vet my idea.
In the internet marketing world, it is common knowledge that you have to have tons of written content to run a business. You need content to post on your blog, to send to your email subscribers, and to use in information products like ebooks. Because the demand for written content is so high in that industry, someone way back in the early days of the internet developed a concept called Private Label Rights or PLR.
PLR is written content like articles or ebooks that is sold to multiple people with a license for use and the purchaser can use it in any way the license allows. It works best if the purchaser changes it somewhat to fit his or her business before using it for blog posts, emails, or in a product to be sold.
PLR is actually a wonderful thing. It serves as a writing “starter”, it supplies ideas to write about, and it even teaches different tactics and concepts. Some people actually use PLR as the basis for video courses they sell.
Knowing about PLR and how it’s used sparked an idea for me… what if I offered sewing PLR for those people who have sewing blogs or websites that need content?
And that triggered another idea… what if I offered PLR Patterns?
Now you’re probably wondering, what the heck is a PLR Pattern? Well, I’ll describe it like this… I’ll create a pattern to sell, not for sewing purposes (of course you could sew it if you want), but for the person who buys it to use for whatever purpose they want… which would include selling it as their own.
No, I’m not crazy, let me explain. Here’s my vision, I hope I’m clear enough for you to understand the concept.
I will make patterns and sell them with a license that allows the person who buys them to do whatever they want with them. There will only be two exceptions, they will not be able to sell the PLR license again and they won’t be able to claim copyright.
Here’s how I envision the process, let’s say Jane is the purchaser and the PLR Pattern is my Molly Handbag:
- Jane buys the Molly Handbag Pattern with a PLR license
- Jane sews the handbag and throws in a little change here and a little change there
- For example, she might add extra pockets, add some hardware, put in a zip top, or do something else to “make it her own”
- Jane would add the changes she made to the pattern instructions
- She would then take photos
- Give the pattern a name
- Create a cover or flier with her own photos
- AND THEN she would sell pattern as her own on her website, or on her blog, or anywhere else she wanted to sell it
Jane would even be able to call herself the designer. She would be able to do anything she wanted except claim copyright and sell PLR rights.
Really when you think about it, it’s not unlike how big chain stores buy designs from small unknown designers and then put their store name on the label. Just walk through a mall and you’ll see the stores I’m talking about. Quite often multiple companies will buy the same design, but before production they will make small changes like using a different fabric or changing a neckline so they can call it their own.
In the same sense, I’ll be like that small independent designer, you’ll be able to buy my designs… then you’ll get to put YOUR name on the label. And you’ll be able to buy my writing content and show your name as the author.
So, my idea is to have a website where I sell
- PLR sewing articles that you can use on your website and name yourself as the author
- PLR how-to sewing reports that you can sell and name yourself as the author
- and PLR sewing patterns that you can sell and name yourself as the designer
If you have a website, blog, membership site, or some other business where you can use this type of content, PLR can save you a ton of time and make you a lot of money. Even if you have a physical store you can package a PLR pattern and sell it in your shop. That would be totally within your rights as a PLR licensee.
So? What do you think? Do you have a need for PLR content? If you have a sewing business, I hope this piqued your interest.
I haven’t started this business yet as I don’t want to waste my time if it’s something no one wants, but if it is, I’m going to get started right away and I’m considering using the Molly Handbag Pattern as my first PLR Pattern (if you’re not familiar with Molly, click here). I’ll have to make a few changes to the paperwork and build a website, but I can probably get it up and ready for business in a short period of time.
I’d love for you to
HIT THE REPLY BUTTON RIGHT NOWleave a comment below and tell me what you think.If you don’t think it’s a good idea, I want to hear why. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings, my skin is tougher than that and I need to know before I start sinking money into a project that everyone thinks is crazy.
If you love the idea and think you might be interested when the business opens, I want to hear from you too. I’d love to hear your ideas for article and report topics, as well as ideas for the types of patterns you’d like to see, i.e., purses, children’s clothing, etc.
Additionally, I’ve created a separate mailing list for those who are interested. That way future mailings about PLR will only go to those want to get them. If you’re interested in being notified when my Sewing PLR site opens, then
click hereenter your name in the sign-up form below to add your name to the list.Remember, if you have an online sewing business or a sewing blog that needs to be fed tons of content, this just may be the product you need to keep your content and offerings fresh and current.
Thanks for taking the time to read my email. You are a cherished part of my sewing blog and I love that you allow me to enter your inbox ever-so-often.
And if you are one who
hits the reply buttoncomments below and gives me your opinion, I want to thank you so very much in advance for taking the time to give me your opinion. It can make a huge difference in how I proceed with this project.Until later,
Reba
Reba,
At first blush, your Sewing Documentation Private Label Rights (PLR) and PLR Sewing Patterns concept might be attractive to some. Some professional (e.g., physicians, dentists, chiropractors, and accountants) buy written material and pay publishers to put their names and addresses on that material. The professionals’ intent is to make it appear as though the brochures/newsletters, etc. came directly from their offices. This works for them because patients/customers usually go to just one dentist, accountant, etc. Therefore, the readers only the see the material once.
At second blush, I suggest you develop a different business plan. People seriously interested in sewing and quilting see the same names time and again. Each individual is unique and brings something special to the industry. Examples: design, technique, color combinations, new notion/ruler, books, patterns, training, and/or personality.
Sewers/quilters gravitate to multiple talented people who produce work that appeals to them. They follow these artists/authors and their work closely.
In my humble opinion, your proposal to prepare Sewing Documentation PLR and PLR Sewing Patterns is not viable because sewers and quilters would quickly dismiss vendors (not artists; not authors) who were publishing the same articles and patterns. Boring! There would be nothing novel about those vendors. Homogeneity is not valued in the sewing and quilting field – diversity is.
The good news is that you have multiple talents and ingenuity, plus you are proactive and you understand the value of market research. I am confident you will come up with another business idea that will be successful.
Sharon Carbine, J.D. LL.M., CPA
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for your input and opinions. I completely understand where you’re coming from and see why you might have that opinion. I guess I, and the many that have already signed up for my “interest” list, just see it a bit differently.
I’ve been sewing since I was 12 years old which is a very long time and have seen millions of patterns (okay, that’s an exaggeration, I know). But, if we’re going to be honest here, there’s really nothing new, everything comes from a basic pattern – and a basic pattern is a basic pattern – what makes it special is what the designer does to make it different.
If you read my email above, it’s not my intent for people to purchase my PLR patterns and sell them “as is”. If a buyer tried to do that, certainly it would be boring and that buyer would have a hard time selling the pattern.
What I would expect from the many wonderfully creative people who make up the sewing community, is that they would buy the PLR pattern so the basic information on how to sew the item is already written for them. Since they would not have to spend time and energy writing how-to steps for the basic sewing techniques, things like how to sew a strap for a handbag, they get a jump-start and can funnel all their creativity and writing time into how they want to turn that basic pattern into a new and beautiful creation.
Many very talented and creative people have no idea how to get started writing a long and detailed “how-to” document. By buying a PLR pattern, all the basics are already written for them and the tone and tempo of the document is already established. Using a PLR pattern will save them a ton of time as all they have to do is add instruction for the modifications they make.
Additionally, I imagine there are creative designers in the world who hesitate to publish a pattern because it’s such a huge undertaking and can be quite overwhelming. Using PLR to help them get started gives them the ability to put their own unique creativity out into the world. And that’s creativity no one would ever see had it not been for the jump-start they got from PLR.
And in regard to the PLR documentation I will offer if I go forward with this project, again, it’s not meant to be used “as is” and I honestly don’t think the hardworking blog and website owners who purchase it would use it in that fashion. The people who have spent their valuable time building up a following for their website aren’t so naive to think they could publish PLR “as is” on their site and get away with it. They know they need to change it somewhat to add their own voice and experiences to the basic writing. Believe me, the smart website owners that I know and that follow my work know better.
Lastly, I was discussing this with a friend of mine and she pointed out that copy-cats exist in abundance already, uncreative crafters who copy other people’s designs have been around for ages, and that will never change. The best creative minds and hands will always rise to the top and that’s why she thinks the sewing community will love PLR. It will make what they do faster and easier.
So, to end my post I’ll just say, you might end up being right and if that’s the case, I’ll come up with a different business idea. But based on the response I’m starting to get, I just might be on to something!
Thanks again for your time and opinion.
AND — if anyone else wants to chime in, I’d love to hear what you have to say.
Until later-
Reba
It sounds like a fantastic idea. I certainly hope it works out. There are a great many of us out there who would love to design patterns from scratch but just don’t have the time due to a vast amount of reasons. This idea would be a starting point for all the design ideas that are floating around in my head (I’m sure I speak for others as well). I can’t wait to see how this progresses. GOOD LUCK!
Hey Michelle, thanks for taking the time to let me know what you think. I’ve had a lot of positive input today by email and people joining my list. It’s looking good.
Would love to hear from others – what you do you think about PLR in the sewing community?
Reba
You asked for opinions so I will post mine….i just want to say that I am being honest here….and do not mean to offend BUT if I am to be honest, I have to speak my mind! Sorry if it sounds harsh! I think this is a rediculous idea and totally agree with Sharon! Oh I do think that you would sell a certain amount of your PLR patterns BUT to be honest, only lazy people who are out to make a quick buck will buy them! A true designer starts with a blank piece of paper….not with someone else’s templates!!…..You cannot become successful doing that….no matter how many pockets etc you change!
Be HONEST here…..Can you image the likes of Amy Butler, Lisa Lam or Kathern Southern using a template? They would simply come up with a variation of each others patterns! LOLLL….No it is too rediculous! It is their individuality that makes them successful….Yes…..there are many bags that are similar out there …..a bag is a bag is a bag….BUT a true designer brings a bit of themselves into each design and merely starting with someone elses template will loose the originality and you will be able to pick it in an instant who is a true designer and who is merely lazy. As for the instructions….it would be easy to spot from a mile off that they originate with a template as well….merely changing a few words will not suffice and if you have to re-write it all to get your own voice into it….what would be the point? As for blog posts etc…..I know I would QUICKLY loose interest in ANY blog that simply purchases a someone else’s work and changes a few things to make it their own….sorry BUT that isn’t their own work and has NO place on a blog……assuming it was successful, with enough of those templates floating around out there would soon be obvious who is original and who isn’t!!! You might have a short burst of business at the outset of this business Reba….But I truely CANNOT see it being sustainable! You would be far better off putting your energy in designing some original patterns for sale as proper patterns! Good luck with whatever you decide to do BUT I am sorry…..don’t rely on me for custom! LOL
Thanks for your input Shannon! I know I’m on to something when I can get a passionate opposing opinion. The pros are coming in by email and by joining my list. I think Sharon’s comment, being the first on this thread, set the tone here and others just don’t want to go against the flow. That’s okay, because I expected some negatives, actually, I expected more than I’m getting.
Believe me, I can see your side, that’s why I’m throwing it out there for others to comment. I already replied to most of the things you said so I’m not going to repeat myself, but there is one comment you made where I must reply and oppose.
I do not agree with the notion that those who want to use PLR are lazy. Everyone has different talents and although you and I may be able to write pages and pages of how-to documents in detail, others may not have that talent. Not everyone has the same talents and that’s what makes life so wonderful, that everyone is different.
But anyone who can take a piece of fabric and turn it into something beautiful, pattern or not, is NOT lazy.
Thanks again Shannon!
Anyone else have comments? I’d love to hear them.
Reba
In terms of articles (i.e. content) for use on web sites, it would need to be changed significantly in order to avoid the search engines flagging the site using such content as an aggregate site and/or penalizing for duplicate content.
It’s an interesting idea, but as a web site owner and a designer, it wouldn’t be of interest to me. However, that said, I could see a possible interest from quilt shops, who are so strapped for time, writing useful content on a regular basis for their blogs isn’t often a priority. You might want to consider having a limit to the number of times an article can be sold, or have different rights for its use. Similar to how stock photography is sold. (Check Dreamstime for example.)
Hi Mishka,
Thanks for the input. That’s a good idea to limit the number sold. I think you’d be surprised by how much PLR is used on the internet, most good bloggers use the idea and take off from there. Others use it by changing a word here and a word there. However the buyer wants to use it is up to them but it’s best used by changing it substantially. It’s faster and more efficient to have a base to start from.
You know, I’m starting to think, if I do this, the site will be a protected site where I will charge a small fee for a lifetime membership. That will keep those who don’t like the idea from knowing what available. I’m still thinking!
Thanks again for the comment!
Reba
Reba I think your idea is great. I have often wanted to draft my own pattern but didn’t know where to start,so I think this might help me out!plus a few opportunities for me are opening up and I would love to be able to sell something I can call my own. I think the Molly bag is perfect as a starter, I love mine so much! I think purses and wallets, bigger bags also would be good.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing more info!
Hey Sarah! Thanks for commenting – I hope whatever opportunities come your way are a big success!